Rehoboth BOS joins opposition to Taunton State Hospital closing

The Rehoboth Board of Selectmen voted to draft a letter opposing the closure of Taunton State Hospital at Monday’s meeting.

By Christopher Nichols

The Taunton Daily Gazette, Taunton, MA

By Christopher Nichols

Posted Feb. 15, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Feb 15, 2012 at 3:04 PM

By Christopher Nichols

Posted Feb. 15, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Feb 15, 2012 at 3:04 PM

Rehoboth

» Social News

The Rehoboth Board of Selectmen voted to draft a letter opposing the closure of Taunton State Hospital at Monday’s meeting.

“I think it would be an absolute disaster to the community and southeastern Massachusetts to close Taunton State Hospital,” said Selectman Joseph Tito, who is also a surgeon at Morton Hospital. “I think it needs to stay open. I think they need to look at other options.”

Gov. Deval Patrick’s administration recently announced a proposal to close Taunton State Hospital and move all its patients to facilities in Tewksbury and Worcester, citing the need to ensure the Department of Mental Health stays within its budget.

State Sen. Marc Pacheco, D-Taunton, has spearheaded the opposition to the proposal, which includes many local and state officials such as Rep. Patricia Haddad, D-Somerset; Rep. Keiko Orrall, R-Lakeville; Rep. Shaunna O’Connell, R-Taunton; and Taunton Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr.

“I think it would be a real big mistake for (Gov. Deval Patrick’s administration) to do that, so I really support Marc Pacheco’s efforts to stop the closure of Taunton State,” said Tito.

By drafting a letter of support for Pacheco, the Rehoboth selectmen join the selectmen from Raynham, Lakeville and Dighton, who have already drafted similar letters.

“We support them in their efforts to keep (Taunton State) open,” said Selectmen Chair Michael Costello.

Costello also said Tito’s recommendation helped seal his vote in favor of drafting the letter.

“Actually, it was because of Dr. Tito’s recommendation about the needs of the hospital,” he said. “(The patients) would be transferring to a hospital way out of the area ... It was (Tito’s) strong feelings on it that made me vote for it.”

Selectman Don Leffort did not attend Monday’s meeting, but he said he would have voted in favor of drafting the letter.

“I’m in favor of supporting that they not close (Taunton State),” he said. “It does affect the personnel there and local people, too, so I don’t want to see it closed.”